A Beginner’s Guide to Robotic Surgery

Overview

Robotic surgery or robot-assisted procedure is fast becoming acceptable and in some cases, a preferred procedure by surgeons. It is a minimally-invasive technique allowing greater precision, control, and accuracy during specific surgical procedures. Robotic surgery combines the use of a robotic surgical platform with advanced imaging technologies, allowing surgeons to complete complex procedures with utmost precision and accuracy. This technique has undoubtedly helped improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of post-surgical complications. 

With master controls in hand, the surgeon directs the instruments and a high-definition, three-dimensional camera through a tiny incision to the surgery site. The surgeon’s movements are accurately translated into real-time, ensuring utmost precision in surgery. 

Robotic surgery is anticipated to develop and spread more widely in the ensuing era. In addition, robotic surgery may become more prevalent due to continued technological advancements.

Importance of Robotic Surgery

Over time, robotic surgical treatment may also become more affordable and accessible, which could result in a rise in its use at smaller surgical facilities and hospitals. Integrating AI and machine learning algorithms is one prospective breakthrough in robotic surgery. With the help of these technologies, surgical robots can make better decisions, increasing accuracy and lowering the possibility of problems.

A greater range of procedures, including complex surgeries previously deemed too unsafe or challenging to conduct using conventional surgical techniques, may be performed with robotic systems as they become more advanced.

Overall, robotic surgery has a bright future, and despite some obstacles to overcome and unanswered issues, we may anticipate more developments and improvements in this area. So, let’s dive deep into the importance of robotic surgery. 

Improved Accuracy and Speed – Robotic surgical systems are designed to be precise and consistent, allowing doctors to perform delicate or complex operations faster and more accurately than is possible with manual or traditional surgical techniques. 

Greater Reach – Robotic surgery allows doctors to reach less accessible and smaller areas of the body. It helps them reach tissues when manual techniques would not be feasible. This results in improved patient outcomes.

Patient Safety – Robotic surgery is a safe procedure. Robotic systems reduce the number of manual movements and force exerted on the body during surgery, limiting possible trauma and reducing the risk of infection and post-operative complications. 

Cost-Saving Procedure – Robotic surgery is cost-saving as operation and recovery times are often reduced. Fewer interventions and reduced time can result in quicker recovery and decreased hospital costs. 

Need for Robotic Surgery

Before knowing about the pros and cons of robot surgery, let’s know why it is needed and its importance. Precision is a key benefit of robotic surgery. Robotic devices can give surgeons greater control and accuracy, reducing problems and improving patient outcomes.

Robotic surgery is especially helpful for complicated operations where standard surgical methods may be riskier or more challenging. Robotic surgery offers a more accurate and regulated procedure, which can help minimise the chance of complications and enhance patient outcomes.

Furthermore, robotic surgery can shorten hospital stays and hasten to heal, allowing patients to resume regular activities sooner. 

In summary, robotic surgery is necessary. We may anticipate even more advantages and developments as technology develops and robots grow more advanced, making it a more crucial instrument in modern medicine. So let’s move forward into the pros and cons of robotic surgery. 

Pros and Cons of Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that uses robotic systems to perform surgical procedures. While this technology has many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of robotic surgery.

Pros of Robotic Surgery:

• • Increased Precision: One of the primary benefits of robotic surgery is its increased precision. Robotic systems can offer surgeons enhanced accuracy and control, leading to fewer complications and better patient outcomes.
  • Minimally Invasive: Robotic surgery is minimally invasive, meaning that it requires smaller incisions and can reduce the risk of complications. As a result, patients often experience less pain, less blood loss, and a faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.
  • Adaptability: Various treatments, including some that are challenging or impossible to carry out using conventional surgical methods, can be done with robotic surgery. This makes it a useful tool for surgeons wishing to give their patients the best treatment possible.
  • Relatively short Hospital Stay: Due to the less intrusive nature of robotic surgery and the potential for quicker recovery times, patients may require less time in the hospital, which saves money and allows them to resume their regular activities sooner.

Drawbacks to robotic surgery

• • Cost: The price of setting up a robotic surgery infrastructure is one of its main disadvantages. The cost of purchasing and maintaining robotic devices can increase the surgery cost for the patient.
  • Learning Curve: Some surgeons unfamiliar with the technology may find the learning curve associated with employing robotic systems for surgery a hurdle. Longer operation periods and higher costs could result from this.
  • Possibility for Malfunction: During surgery, robotic systems may malfunction or encounter technical issues, which poses a risk to the patients.
  • Absence of Sensory Indication: Some surgeons feel that employing robotic systems gives them less tactile feedback, which might make it harder to gauge how much pressure is being given during surgery.

You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

• • Best doctors in Kolkata
  • Best doctors in Mumbai
  • Best doctors in Mysore
  • Best doctors in Raipur
  • Best doctors in Shimoga

Summing Up

In conclusion, robotic surgery has several advantages, such as improved precision, minimally invasive procedures, adaptability, and shorter hospital stays. Robotic surgery will ultimately be chosen based on the demands of each patient and the surgical team’s experience. While choosing a course of therapy, it’s critical to talk with your surgeon about the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure. 

FAQ’s

Q. What is robotic cardiac surgery?
A. Robotic cardiac surgery is a minimally invasive treatment for heart conditions. It refers to making small incisions in the chest and performing the surgery with robotic instruments.

Q. How painful is robotic surgery?
A. Because it is less invasive than traditional open surgery, robotic surgery is less painful. Patients are given general anaesthesia during the process, and they could feel some discomfort afterwards, which is treated with painkillers. Depending on the patient and the procedure, there may be a range of pain levels.

Q. How prevalent is robotic surgery in India?
A. In India, particularly in the major cities where numerous hospitals have invested in robotic surgical systems, robotic surgery is becoming more and more prevalent. As more medical professionals become aware of the advantages of this cutting-edge technology, including improved precision, decreased invasiveness, and quicker recovery times for patients, robotic surgery is expanding in India.

 In India, robotic surgery is still relatively new compared to other nations. Still, as more hospitals and medical facilities adopt this technology, its use is anticipated to increase.

Q. How long is a hospital stay following a robotic procedure?
A. The type of surgery done, the patient’s general health and the procedure duration are some variables that can affect how long the patient must stay in the hospital undergoing robotic surgery.

Nonetheless, robotic surgery patients often stay in the hospital for a shorter period than those who have traditional open surgery. While some patients may need a prolonged hospital stay of up to several days, many can return home within a day or two of the procedure.

Q. Do patients appreciate robotic procedures?
A. More than 20% of responders said the robot was somewhat autonomous during surgery. In addition, robotic surgery was deemed to be safer, quicker, less painful, or to deliver better results by the majority of respondents (72%). Still, when asked whether they would choose robotic surgery, 55% said they would rather have traditional minimally invasive surgery.

Reference Links

• • https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/robotic-surgery/about/pac-20394974
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1553465021006725